Expedition cruising has restarted and Hurtigruten Expeditions has introduced its third battery-hybrid-powered ship, MS Otto Sverdrup, set to push boundaries for ‘green’ travel.
Hurtigruten Expeditions has added a third battery hybrid powered ship to its fleet, marking both the return of its expedition cruises after more than a year of pandemic pause and the first year-round expedition cruises from Germany to the Norwegian coast.
MS Otto Sverdrup departed Hamburg, Germany, for her maiden voyage on 24 August 2021.
“We are thrilled to finally be back exploring with our guests. This is a day we have all been really looking forward to after a very challenging year for the entire travel industry,” said Hurtigruten Expeditions CEO Asta Lassesen.
“We saw the travel industry’s global pause as a golden opportunity to invest, upgrade and improve our ships and product.
“As we return to cruising, MS Otto Sverdrup will feature a combination of advanced green technology, including new battery packs, that will ensure an even more sustainable way of exploring the Norwegian coast,” said Lassesen.
Following a complete upgrade and transfer to Hurtigruten Expeditions, MS Otto Sverdrup’s maiden voyage from Germany will be the first sailing in the step-by-step restart of operations.
Late September, MS Maud will start the first-ever year-round UK-based expedition cruises.
In addition to the closer-to-home departures from Hamburg and Dover, Hurtigruten Expeditions 2022/2023 winter program also includes Antarctica, West Africa, Alaska, and from January 2022, the Galapagos Islands.
“Our guests have been extremely patient, and I know they are as excited as we are. As we return to operations, the safety of our guests, crew and the communities we explore is our number one priority.
“Our stringent health and safety protocols, including our vaccination policy for all guests and crew, will ensure that everyone feels safe, protected and comfortable onboard without limiting experience,” said Lassesen.
Hurtigruten Expeditions recently launched expedition cruises to West Africa, including Bissagos Islands and Cape Verde, as well as unique ways to explore both the Canary Islands and Madeira Islands from 2022.
“We see a huge pent-up demand for travel, with substantial and growing demand for authentic adventure travel. We expect to see this trend strengthen, as we continue to expand our global offering with even more unique and more sustainable experiences,” Lassesen concluded.
